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The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast

The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast

By: Colin Nottage
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 Welcome to the Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, brought to you in partnership with Safety FM! A lot of people see health and safety as a really boring subject. Too much red tape, too many systems and procedures. A lot of things getting stopped by the safety police. Colin brings a different take on this; Ok at times it is still serious but Colin brings the topic to life in an interesting and challenging way. If you are serious about making a difference to your team then this podcast will help you run some great health and safety initiatives. A mix up of short messages, top interviews, opinions and great practical advice. Out twice a week Colin’s different takes on this subject will surprise you, annoy you, make you laugh and cry and remember if you are boring then don’t bother listening. Whether you’re a leader, senior manager, at the sharp end or a health and safety professional there is something here for you. Colin’s mantra is to make health and safety as important as everything else you do because that is what he believes. Thanks for taking the time to check this out2025 Colin Nottage Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Where Does Responsibility Lay?

    Where Does Responsibility Lay?
    Sep 8 2025
    Colin discusses the critical role of health and safety professionals in the workplace, emphasising the importance of influence over implementation. He highlights the challenges faced by these professionals, particularly when they lack a seat at the decision-making table, and stresses the need to build strong relationships with operational teams to effectively manage risks KEY TAKEAWAYS Health and safety professionals should prioritise influencing decision-makers rather than trying to manage health and safety directly. This involves building relationships and providing support to those who are responsible for managing risks. It's crucial for health and safety professionals to be involved at the senior management level to effectively influence decisions. They should present financial implications and risk mitigation costs to highlight the importance of health and safety measures. Rather than doing tasks for management, health and safety professionals should equip them with the tools and skills needed to make informed decisions. This includes facilitating discussions and providing guidance. BEST MOMENTS "If we as a health and safety professional try to take on the responsibility of managing health and safety in a workplace, then we're going to fail." "You should be working towards building the relationship... so that you have got an opportunity to influence their thinking." "Don't try to be the person that sorts and solves every problem. Try to be somebody that facilitates other people making better decisions." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/the-interesting-health-safety-podcast/id1467771449 Project Mollitiam - https://www.projectmollitiam.com ABOUT THE HOST Colin Nottage ‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’ This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions. He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation. Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses. Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive. He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
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    9 mins
  • What Works For You Doesn't Always Work For Others

    What Works For You Doesn't Always Work For Others
    Sep 1 2025
    Colin discusses the importance of tailoring health and safety approaches to the unique needs of each organisation, stressing that while standardised models, such as ISO 9001, can provide value, imposing them without considering the specific context of a business can lead to inefficiencies and frustration KEY TAKEAWAYS Start by asking leaders within the organisation what success looks like to them. Understanding their vision and goals is crucial for providing effective support and guidance. Simply imposing a standardised model, like ISO 9001, can lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork. Instead, focus on integrating existing processes with the standards to enhance effectiveness. While it's important to aim high, ensure that the goals set are achievable. Collaborate with the organisation to establish sensible targets that can be realistically met over time. BEST MOMENTS "If you just try and impose the structure of 9001 into a business... all you're really gonna do is stuff that organisation up with a load of paperwork." "Ask them, you know, what does success look like for them?" "It's about getting something that's really sensible, get an approach that people can look back in six months... and say, we've made a difference." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/the-interesting-health-safety-podcast/id1467771449 Project Mollitiam - https://www.projectmollitiam.com ABOUT THE HOST Colin Nottage ‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’ This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions. He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation. Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses. Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive. He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
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    7 mins
  • From Likes to Lifesaving: How Social Media Can Transform Health and Safety Conversations

    From Likes to Lifesaving: How Social Media Can Transform Health and Safety Conversations
    Aug 25 2025
    Colin talks to special guest, Ron Gantt, about the complexities of social media and its impact on health and safety discussions. They explore the love-hate relationship many have with social media, emphasising the importance of using these platforms for positive connections and constructive conversations. The conversation also touches on the dangers of echo chambers created by algorithms, the need for humility in the health and safety profession, and the significance of humanising interactions KEY TAKEAWAYS Social media has a love-hate relationship; while it can be a source of negativity and misinformation, it also offers opportunities for connection and positive engagement. It's essential to find ways to use it constructively. Engaging in face-to-face conversations or video calls can deepen relationships and foster understanding, contrasting with the often dehumanising nature of online interactions. There is a tendency in discussions, especially in health and safety, to adopt a black-and-white mindset. Embracing nuance and recognising that multiple perspectives can coexist is crucial for effective problem-solving. The conversation around health and safety should extend beyond immediate physical dangers to include mental health and long-term health issues, such as respiratory diseases, emphasising the need for a holistic approach. BEST MOMENTS "I think it's important to remember what social media is. It's a business product, right? So it's designed not so that you can just go there and have fun and explore the world." "If we never hear bad news, man, we are in trouble because I would guarantee nobody here has it all figured out." "There's this tendency to be like, oh those other people, they're the evil ones... it's about who they are not about, you know, hey they just have a different perspective." "If our goal is to stop people from getting killed, we're going to not achieve that goal ever, because 100% of the people that we work with are going to die." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/the-interesting-health-safety-podcast/id1467771449 Project Mollitiam - https://www.projectmollitiam.com ABOUT THE HOST Colin Nottage ‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’ This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions. He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation. Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses. Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive. He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
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    1 hr and 13 mins
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